T-524 makes an awful noise, doesn't play.

[arilotter]

I just acquired a T-524 in decent condition at an estate sale. It played when I bought it, but after transporting it it seems to be broken.

When powered on, it constantly makes a very loud amplified rattling noise. https://youtu.be/GfZpV-51px4

I can't get any notes out at all, unless I flip the "dynamute" switch down, in which case I get very very quiet notes overlayed by this awful noise.

My intuition is that there's been some mechanical failure, and a bearing is now rubbing.
Where should I start looking for failures?

Thanks! :)

[andyg]

A T524 doesn't have a Dynamute tab switch. What you have is a Phoenix.

It's a first generation LSI (Large Scale Integration) organ from Hammond and these suffered all sorts of problems from Day One. The most common is referred to as 'LSI Disease', and it's caused by bad interboard connections. One of the symptoms is the 'thunderstorm' and that's what this sounds like. It would also explain why you can't get notes out of it. Moving an LSI organ can often cause this - they do not travel well.

So you're going to have to open up the organ, unplug, clean and reseat every single electrical connection in the organ. The cleaner you want to use would be Caig De-Xoit D5, and you can also use a pencil eraser on any edge contacts. This is routine maintenance for all LSI Hammonds. It cures a lot of ills but is not an universal panacea.

Be very careful when working near the organ's power supply, there are lethal voltages in that part of the organ.

You should also check the in built Leslie to see if it's become loose or noisy, but this really doesn't sound like that.

.

[handyczech]

Model 1182 Phoenix, Italian Provincial in walnut. Did they present it to you as a "T" series, or were you going on your own research? There might be a paper tag under the lower manual looking up, unless it has a tag on the back near the floor on the right side. Either way, it is what it is. that being it is not a tonewheel Hammond Organ, but was brought back from the N series earlie rmodels.

[arilotter]

Thank you both for your replies!
it was presented to me as a T-524, but I see now it's obviously a phoenix. I don't mind at all, this is more a fun toy for me than an investment ;)

I left the organ alone for a few days after transporting it, and now it plays fine! :) Magic!!

[Joey_Gleet]

I've had a lot of fun with free organs. Yammies, Lowreys etc, Just be prepared to put it in a dumpster a little at a time when it peters out. One thing about Yamaha Electones is the user manuals are still available for free download. Enjoy.

[KC9UDX]

It'll act up again in some way sooner or later. Be prepared to do what andyg suggests. You'll have to do it eventually. Until then, play it in every way.

[Papus]

When it finally does bite the dust, at least try to save the internal Leslie - many people re-house them for use as a nice guitar Leslie similar to the venerated Fender Vibratone/Leslie 16 (both identical, made by Leslie).
Or it can be used as a poor man's Leslie for organ.
Either way, those old cheesewheel Leslies are being sought after